No More Godfatherism in Benue, Says Lawmaker

A member of the Benue State House of Assembly for Kwande West State Constituency, Joseph Boko, on Tuesday attributed the economic and social backwardness of the state to dominance of political godfatherism.

Boko, who stated this at a news conference in Makurdi, noted that now that the dominance of godfatherism  has already  be crumbled in the state, it is expected that things would get better in the state.

He maintained that the issue of godfatherism was over glorified in the state which had  made planning and execution of developmental projects impossible and the state was completely dampened.

"The era of godfatherism was a hinder inch in the past as a larger chunk of funds Meant for development usually went to godfather in the past which cannot deliver service in a deplorable state.

"I know how deeply concerned the present governor feel about issues of development in the state but the issue of godfatherism was over glorified in the state, and that made planning and execution completely dampened. I can assure you that with the reelection of Ortom, things will change for the better hence godfatherism has been crushed.

"I am concerned that Benue along with other stakeholders within the state is desirous of going up from where we are. I am assuring you before the entire world that Benue will be different especially with godfatherism already crumbling," he said.

He maintained that it's now a new dawn for the Benue people as pensioners and workers would get their dues.

According to him, "The task ahead for Ortom is not only to engage people but to get the ball rolling. There has to be massive job creation, the issue of salary must also be resolved and those who were laid off illegally must be brought back.

Also as an agrarian society, we must demonstrate our status as a food basket of the nation by regenerating the causes of food production. The administration has to have a form of reset and think in line with the governor. The governor should also be ready to deliver.

"Those who lost must learn to eschew bitterness. Jime does not need to go to court at all. If he wanted to, he should have done that in 2015. If he does that, he would just be wasting people's time. APC lost not because they unpopular but because they were disorganized.

"When money came, it went to wrong hands. Ortom has good plans for us. After ensuring life by defending the people, he will feed the life," Boko said.